Ep 11. Magical Thinking

In season 1 episode 11 of Billions, titled "Magical Thinking," tensions escalate between hedge fund titan Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) and U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) as they engage in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.

After coming to a head in the previous episode, tensions between Axelrod and Rhoades reach an all-time high in "Magical Thinking." Rhoades is determined to take down Axelrod and plans to use every tool at his disposal to do so. Meanwhile, Axelrod is equally determined to protect his interests and stay ahead of Rhoades.

As the two men strategize and plot against each other, their respective teams come more into focus. For Axelrod, that means relying on his right-hand man, Mike Wagner (David Costabile), and his team of traders to stay one step ahead. For Rhoades, it means working closely with his wife, Wendy (Maggie Siff), who serves as Axelrod's in-house psychologist, and her boss, Ari Spyros (Stephen Kunken), a quirky FBI agent with a penchant for offbeat tactics.

With tensions running high on both sides, "Magical Thinking" delivers plenty of twists and turns as Axelrod and Rhoades both try to outmaneuver each other. The episode is full of trademark Billions moments, including high-stakes trading, emotionally charged confrontations, and unexpected alliances.

Throughout it all, the series continues to explore the themes of power, greed, and loyalty that have made it so compelling. As Axelrod and Rhoades both push themselves to their limits, the question of who will emerge victorious becomes more pressing than ever.

Overall, "Magical Thinking" is a standout episode that showcases all of the elements that have made Billions an addictive watch for fans. With top-notch performances from Lewis, Giamatti, Siff, and the rest of the cast, as well as sharp writing and direction, it's an hour of television that's sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.